State laws determine under what circumstances a person can be admitted to a hospital or psychiatric facility under an involuntary commitment. As a rule, a petition must be filed with a court alleging that the individual suffers from a mental illness or severe substance abuse problem and is a danger to herself or others. Obtaining patient information on someone who has been admitted under an involuntary commitment proceeding is very difficult and may only be available to the patient's legal guardian. The record of the commitment order, however, may be considered public record.
Instructions
1. Conduct a search of the court records in the county where the commitment order would have been processed. Most involuntary commitment proceedings are heard in probate court, although procedures may vary by jurisdiction. Additionally, not all states consider a commitment proceeding to be public record. Court records can be searched online or in person at the court itself. If you are able to locate the order of commitment then you should be able to ascertain to which hospital or facility the patient was commited.
2. Contact the hospital where the patient is located. Ask the hospital what their policy is regarding patient information. Be aware that in most cases the hospital will not give out any information to anyone other than a legal guardian or court-appointed representative. The hospital may not even acknowledge that the individual is a patient. If you are the legal guardian you may need to provide the hospital with the legal documents showing your status before they will divulge any information.
3. Determine who the patient's legal guardian or personal representative is if the hospital will not divulge any information and you are not the guardian or representative. The order of commitment may have the information as a legal guardian or personal representative is often appointed during the commitment process.
4. Contact the legal guardian or personal representative. Ask him if he will give you any information on the patient. The guardian or representative is not under any legal obligation to provide the requested information.
Tags: legal guardian, guardian personal, guardian personal representative, involuntary commitment, legal guardian personal